Fire department salaries established – May 5, 1890

Salaries set for 23 fire department employees ranging from $15 to $75 per month. All sewer connections to be seen by Health Inspector before pipes can be laid. C.B. Higginson receives contract for street sprinkling (to reduce dust) at $5.00 a day when required.

This transcript was made in 2015 by Transcribimus volunteers Margaret Sutherland
and Joy Marie Vasquez
and sponsored by Arnold Silber

From Patrick Fox et al, petitioning for a street light on the corner of Gore Avenue and Prior Street. Referred to F. W. & L. Committee.

From Isaac Lo Smith Esq C. E. Portland, Ore and J. T. Fanning Eng C. E. St. Paul Min. declining on account of engagement to examine into the Work of the Vancouver Water Works Coy. Referred to Water Works Committee.

From Chas. Desormier et al protesting against cutting down the hill on Princess St. Referred to Board of Works.

From Davidson Bros. asking the City to purchase a clock for the Market. Referred to the Board of Works.

From the City Solicitor advising the Council to pay J. M. Stewart $109.98 in full settlement of his claim for salary. Referred to Finance Committee.

From the City Solicitor furnishing opinion on the Electric Light Contract. Filed.

[volume 3 page 387]

From Richd Gosse et al petitioning for a box drain on Keefer Street. Referred to the Board of Works.

From Joseph Griffith et al petitioning for a road to the North Arm by extending Westminster Avenue. Referred to Board of Works.

From E. C. Britton et al praying Council to put Powell Street on line through Block 48, 181. Referred to Board of Works.

From F. M. Webb, Secretary of a Public Meeting enclosing amendments proposed to Liquor License By-Law. Referred to License Committee.

From Wm. Hamilton, Assistant Engineer asking for an increase of Salary. Referred to Finance Committee.

From F. D. Boucher et al petitioning for a sidewalk on Davie Street. Referred to the Board of Works.

From the Chief of the Fire Department petitioning for an increase of salary for himself and men. Referred to Finance Committee.

Reports

Works No 12

The Board of Works met on Thursday May 1st 1890.

Present Aldermen Horne, Doering and Costello.

[volume 3 page 388]

Resolved.

1. That the Chain Gang be employed at once to grade the lane in Block 11, 196 and put box drains therein and if same is not completed within three weeks that tenders be called for completion of the same.

2. That contractors be notified to furnish split cedar instead of fir for covering box drains, same to be even and well jointed and at the same price as fir.

3. That all Sewer connections be made under the supervision of the Health Inspector and that no such connections be covered up by any licensed pipe layer before being examined by such Inspector under the penalty of having his license cancelled.

4. That the Caretaker of the Public Cemetery be authorized to expend $25.00 in beautifying the grounds and that he be instructed to move the North fence South to the road line as staked out by the Government.

5. That the following tenders be invited:

(a) Grading 13th Av from Quebec to Ontario St.
(b) Box drains on Eveleigh Street between Burrard and Thurlow and on Burrard St from Eveleigh St South to the lane.
(c) Grading Helmcken St from Richards to Homer
(d) Grading lane in Block 57, 541
(e) Grading Lansdowne St 1 block west of Westminster Avenue.
(f) 8 ft sidewalk on Westminster Av from 7th to 10th and to lay the present sidewalk on 9th Av & Scotia Street as far as it will go
(g) Grading 6th Av one Block
(h) Grading the Street between blocks 106 & 107 from 7th to 9th thence east on 9th Av 2 blocks

[volume 3 page 389]

6. That in future no payments be made for material excavated from basements and that the City Engineer be instructed to direct where such excavations shall be deposited except when used for private purposes.

7. That N. S. Hoffar be permitted to construct a basement for the building to be erected on Cambie Street, two feet under the sidewalk.

9. The City Solicitor having advised this that the Corporation had no power to compel the owners of the property lying to the North of Water Street to fill up the same above high water mark, but if by reason of their not being filled up, a stench is caused so as to become a nuisance to the neighbors the owners or occupants can be indicted for causing the nuisance of it is proved that the stench is caused by the people occupying the lots and not by the sea washing in and bearing a deposit on the beach we recommend that the Health Inspector be furnished with a copy of said letter and be instructed to notify the owners of said lots to abate the nuisance in accordance with said letter.

Sgd. J. W. Horne, Chairman

[volume 3 page 390]

Moved by Alderman Costello, seconded by Alderman Doering. That the Report of the Board of Works be adopted. Carried.

Finance No 12

The Finance Committee met on Friday May 22nd 1890.

Present Aldermen Browning, Fox and Costello.

We beg to recommend:

1. That the following salaries be paid to the members of the fire brigade from the 1st of April 1890 as provided for in the Estimates adopted by Council on Monday April 28, 1890.

Chief Engineer, $75.00 per month
Engineer, 70.00 per month
Asst Engineer 55. Per month
Two Teamsters 60 per month
One Foreman 60 per month
Two Stokers 45 per month
Five Firemen 45 per month
Ten ball men 15 per month

2. That the Fire & Health Inspector’s salary be increased to $100.00 per month to date from the 1st day of May 1890, as provided for in the Estimates approved of by Council.

3. That the Pound Keepers salary be increased to $45.00 per month to date from the 1st day of May 1890.

6. That all action be in the meantime suspended relating to By-Law No 79 known as the Trades License By-Law.

7. Re Chas. H. Strutt’s request for exemption from taxation, we recommend that he be informed that as the Council has heretofore refused to exempt from taxation other small industries, no exception can be made in his case.

8. Re W. D. Haywood’s claim for balance of salary due.
We recommend that the matter be referred to the City Solicitor and if he finds him entitled to the same that it be paid to him.

Sgd. J. M. Browning, Chairman

Moved by Alderman Horne, seconded by Alderman Carrall. That the clause in the Report in relation to Chas. H. Strutt be struck out and referred back to ascertain definitely what Mr. Strutt’s intentions are. Carried.

Moved by Alderman Carroll, seconded by Alderman Horne. That the Report as amended be adopted. Carried.

Alderman Fox dissenting.

The following tenders were received and read for street sprinkling:

[volume 3 page 392]

W. C. Muir, $5.70 per day,
Richard Street 6.00 per day
C. B. Higginson 5.00 per day when required
Woodworth & Co 6.25, 6.00 & 5.75 per day
J. Windebank 5.90 & 6.00 per day
R. Rutherford 5.75 per day

Moved by Alderman Costello, seconded by Alderman Doering. That the matter be left in the hands of the Chairman of the Board of Works to award the contract to C. B. Higginson if he is prepared to proceed with the work within three days. Carried.

Motions

Moved by Alderman Horne, seconded by Alderman Doering. That the following labor account be paid:

P. Atkinson et al $98.00 Carried.

Moved by Alderman Garden, seconded by Alderman Costello. That the following account in connection with the Sugar Refinery contract be paid:

Murray & Fraser $859.50 Carried.

Moved by Alderman Carrall, seconded by Alderman McLeod. That the rules be suspended and that the Council go into Committee of the Whole to consider the question of street lighting. Motion lost.

[volume 3 page 393]

Moved by Alderman Costello, seconded by Alderman Doering. That after the contract for the Corduroying of the North Arm Road leading to the cemetery is completed that the City Engineer be instructed to have a coating of earth placed over said corduroy taking the best material to be obtained on said road at a cost not to exceed $100.00. Carried.

Moved by Alderman McLeod, seconded by Alderman Sentell. That a Committee be appointed consisting of Alderman Doering and the mover and seconder to name the streets whose names are not registered in Wards 3, 4, & 5 and report to the Council for approval. Referred to the City Solicitor.

Consideration of By-Laws

Moved by Alderman Costello, seconded by Alderman Doering. That the Liquor License By-Law be now read a third time.

Moved by Alderman Sentell, seconded by Alderman Browning. That the By-Law be read 9 months hence.

Moved by Alderman Fox, seconded by Alderman Horne. That the Council now adjourn. Carried.